In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.

Assertion: J. Nagappa asserted that the suffering of the Depressed class was not due to their number in the population.

Reason: He felt the suffering was due to the systematic marginalization of the Depressed class. They had no access to education and no share in the administration.

Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

The correct answer is Option  1 - Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Assertion: J. Nagappa asserted that the suffering of the Depressed class was not due to their number in the population.
Reason: He felt the suffering was due to the systematic marginalization of the Depressed class. They had no access to education and no share in the administration.

Some members of the Depressed Castes emphasised that the problem of the “Untouchables” could not be resolved through protection and safeguards alone . Their disabilities were caused by the social norms and the moral values of caste society. Society had used their services and labour but kept them at a social distance, refusing to mix with them or dine with them or allow them entry into temples. “We have been suffering, but we are prepared to suffer no more,” said J. Nagappa from Madras. “We have realised our responsibilities. We know how to assert ourselves.” Nagappa pointed out that numerically the Depressed Castes were not a minority: they formed between 20 and 25 per cent of the total population. Their suffering was due to their systematic marginalisation, not their numerical insignificance. They had no access to education, no share in the administration.